Story and Photos by Ariane Kunze
“The most important thing is to stay yourself. It’s easy to imitate, but don’t be afraid of your own voice and your own style. It’s okay to do it differently,” Victoria Vox­ said in her workshop at the UKEtober Fest on October 8.
Joining Vox were other world-class ukulele artists performing and teaching workshops for local ukulele enthusiasts at the Eugene Faith Center. The two-day festival and workshop series, held on October 7 and 8, hosted ukulele performers Brook Adams and His Swingin’ Marmalukeys, Craig Chee, Ralph Shaw, Kate Power, Steve Einhorn, the Hapa Hillbillies and several others. This is the fifth year that the UKEtober Fest made Eugene its home and is certainly not the last.
“The cool thing about a festival that is centered around an instrument, instead of a type of music, is that you get all types of music,” Keith Blackwell, the founder of the UKEtober Fest said.
Blackwell started the festival in Eugene after witnessing the success of the Portland Uke Fest. Not only does Eugene have great musicianship, but there is also a strong uke community, Blackwell said. Eugene is home to Mele ‘Ohana and Ukulaneys, two popular ukulele strumming groups.
This was the third year that Vox attended the UKEtober Fest in Eugene.
“The people make the city,” Vox said.
 
This year, Vox taught a workshop on how to “make it [music] your own”. Vox is well known for writing and covering songs in her own unique style. In songs such as “Three Little Birds,” by Bob Marley, and “Physical,” by Olivia Newton-John, Vox incorporates her original sound with melodic tempos to create refreshing arrangements.
The Green Bay native began playing the ukulele in 2003, after a friend gave her one to learn how to play “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” The simplicity of the 4-stringed instrument intrigued Vox, who until the ukulele, was a guitarist.
Today, Vox tours the world with her cellist, Katie Chambers and plays at an assortment of shows. She said that her connection with Brook Adams, a national uke sensation, has fueled her passion for the ukulele.
In concert on Saturday, Brooke Adams and the Swingin’ Marmalukeys played everything from Bob Dylan to swing-era classics. The musical variety attracted a crowd of all ages and brought both the young and old to their feet in dance.
No matter the artist or the playing level, the UKEtober Fest initiated creativity and passion in all who attended. The music resonated through the Eugene Faith Center the entire two days creating a welcoming, energetic ambiance.
“The ukulele is such a sweet little instrument. It’s fairly easy to play, it travels really well, they don’t cost too much and they make you feel good,” Blackwell said.

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